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Sony Pal dislodges Star Plus, Zee Anmol surprises in rural genre: BARC week 13
MUMBAI: Sony Pal vaulted from the third position to the top in BARC week 13 pushing the leader Star Plus to the second slot in the Hindi GEC genre and also retaining its reign in the GEC rural genre. Zee Anmol made a surprise entry in the Top 10 channels in the GEC rural genre, pocketing the second position.
Hindi GEC (Urban + Rural)
In BARC India Week 13’s Hindi GEC genre, Sony Pal led with 702603 impressions (‘000s), followed by Star Plus with 681474 and Colors slid to third position with 638786 impressions (‘000s) even as Naagin 2 retained its top show slot.
Zee TV, Rishtey and Zee Anmol bagged the third, fourth and fifth position with 550619, 498807 and 483395 impressions (‘000s). Sony Sab, Sony Entertainment and Star Utsav were next three in the descending order with 430939, 425621 and 422858 impressions (‘000s). Life OK was on the tenth position with 390161 impressions (‘000s).
Hindi GEC Rural
In the GEC rural genre, Sony Pal with 516042 impressions (‘000s), Zee Anmol with 380436 impressions (‘000s) and Rishtey with 376774 impressions (‘000s) pocketed the top three slots in the descending order.
Star Utsav, Zee TV and Star Plus respectively bagged the fourth, fifth and six positions with 319757, 236545 and 219731 impressions (‘000s). Channels on the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth positions respectively were Colors, Life OK, Sony Sab and Big Magic with 207754, 143177 142749 and 142112 impressions (‘000s).
Hindi GEC Urban
In the GEC urban genre ratings of BARC week 13, Star Plus, Colors and Zee TV were the top three channels in the descending order with 461742, 431032 and Zee TV 314073 impressions (‘000s), respectively.
Next in the order of top ratings at the fourth, fifth and sixth positions were Sony Entertainment, Sony Sab and Life OK respectively with 294285, 288189 and 246983 impressions (‘000s). Among the last four of the Top 10 channels rated in the descending order in BARC week 13 were Sony Pal, &TV, Rishtey and Star Utsav with 186561, 141510, 122032 and 103101 impressions (‘000s), respectively.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
